Josue Jamlang


What: English Premier League
Who: Chelsea (1st; 83 points) vs Wigan Athletic (15th; 36 points)
When: Sunday 9th May, 2010, at 16:00 BST
Where: Stamford Bridge, London, England

Premier League Title Glory

Chelsea will be assured their first Premier League title since 2006 at the weekend should they manage to win against Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have been magnificent throughout the campaign, and provided Sunday’s match plays out the way it is expected, they will have proven worthy champions of a highly exciting league.

Having dispatched of Liverpool last weekend, in what was seen as Chelsea’s last real threat, the London club are virtually just waiting to be crowned champions of England. With Manchester United one point behind, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will have their chances of snatching the title from the Red Devils firmly in their own hands.

Should Chelsea prevail on Sunday, expect them to push on and beat Portmouth in the FA Cup final, and complete a remarkable domestic double in their Italian manager’s first year in charge.

Last Day Spoiler

Wigan have had anything but a smooth run in the 2009/10 Premier League season, with the side just recently assured of their place in England’s top flight. Avoiding relegation has been the main goal of the club throughout most of the campaign, with consistency a clear weakness of the team.

Despite the gulf in class between the two sides, the Latics were triumphant in the first meeting of the clubs back in September, where goals from Paul Scharner, Hugo Rodallega, and Titus Bramble ensured the team its first victory over one of the Premier League’s “big four.”

Having just beaten Arsenal in dramatic fashion last month as well, Wigan undoubtedly have the ability to create a shock at Stamford Bridge. Although the vast gap in quality is obvious and the chances of an upset remote, holding the potential title-winners to a draw or better at the weekend is certainly not beyond the Latics.

Recent form

Chelsea:
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea (17/04; Premier League)
Chelsea 7-0 Stoke City (25/04; Premier League)
Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea (02/05; Premier League)

Wigan Athletic:
Wigan Athletic 3-2 Arsenal (18/04; Premier League)
West Ham United 3-2 Wigan Athletic (24/04; Premier League)
Wigan Athletic 2-2 Hull City (03/05; Premier League)

Key absences

Chelsea: Jon Obi Mikel; Ricardo Carvalho; Michael Essien; Jose Bosingwa

Wigan Athletic: Richard Kingson; Marcelo Moreno



Players to watch

Chelsea – Didier Drogba: With 33 goals in all competitions to his name so far, Didier Drogba will certainly be the man that Wigan will have to pay attention to most. The Ivorian has been in his most prolific form this season, and has been a real handful for any defence. A goal on Sunday from the 32-year-old could effectively hand Chelsea their coveted Premier League title.

Wigan Athletic – Charles N’Zogbia: Charles N’Zogbia was named Wigan’s Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Year with good reason, after the French winger proved to be a vital attacking threat in his first season with the Latics. The former Newcastle United talent has shown some good touches on the flanks, and has chipped in with five goals as well. If Chelsea are going to be handed a shock on Sunday, it wouldn’t be alarming if N’Zogbia had something to do with it.



Match Prediction

Being so close to their first Premier League title in three years, and with a chance for a domestic double, Chelsea will not be lacking in motivation on Sunday against Wigan. Although the Latics are undoubtedly capable of providing a remarkable upset, The Blues in front of the Stamford Bridge crowd should prove to be too much of a proposition for Roberto Martinez’s side. Expect Chelsea to clinch the league title after a routine 2-0 victory.

 

Fancy a bet on this exciting game? Remember, you can find and compare the prices of all major online bookmakers at tip-ex.com.

 

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